The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-12-01
IDAHO.
From Over the GOlden Hills.
IN THREE PARTs-No. 1.

Here people come from different parts
of the territory to escape the heat and
dust of town life and gather strength
from the fresh pure mountain air. Per-
haps you will be interested to know that
Long Valley is section of country
about forty.fiv hundred feet above the
sea level, sixty miles long and averages
from six to ten miles in width, forming
one vast plain of bunch grass and clover
on which thousands of cattle Craze and
roam at will. Even now within sight
a band of seven thousand cattle are feed
ing, brought by one of the great stock.
men of the country and to be kept here
during the summer and until the snow
falls.
Winding in and out through this val
ley the clear waters Of the Payette
River flow and overflow, causing the
rich black loamy be soil to be so pro-
ductive.
Rain falls very seldom here, but the
numerous streams make irrigation easy
and thus Nature is always provided for
in some way. Great varieties of fish are
found here, and yearly great flocks of
ducks, geese, swan, cranes and brents
swim contentedly over the river surface
or fly high in the air making great
croaking noises that oftentimes attracts
the attention of the sportsman who soon
puts an end to their flight. All around
the valley lie the mountains rising in
great terraces, some covered with the
tall forest trees of pine and fir where
different kinds OF game are found
mountain lion, wolves, coyotes, panther,
grizzly bear, squirrels of all species,
grouse and bright wing pheasants, and
oftentimes great herds of deer that
bound from rock to rock and disappear
in some dark ravine, If fortunate enough
to escape the pursuer.
High above the forest-covered ranges
lie the bald mountains where patches of
snow yet linger, reminder of the win
ter storms that sweep over the valley,
turning the branches of the evergreen
forest trees into snowy plumes and
covering the green plains with mantle
of whiteness varying in depth from two
to six feet.
These deep SHOWS open up another
means of obtaining wealth by making
mining practicable. Placer gold mines
have already been developed and are
yielding rich returns to their owners,
and great quantities of quartz have been
found which in time, when steam plies
its motive power and electricity 'lends its
wings of light" golden harvest will
gladden. the hearts of the now willing
treasure seekers.
Added to all these resources are
numerous hot, cold and sulphur springs,
and the finest water.power in the world
for manufacturing establishments of all
kinds. Already some enterprising men
have commenced large saw-mill, and
surely with thousands of treesat their
disposal they cannot but make success
of this occupation.
Some dairies have heen started, and
owing to the fine pasture the butter and
cheese always bring the highest market
price. must not forget to speak of the
flowers that grow here. The lilies of
France, the blue bells of Scotland and
the roses of Spain lend their beauty and
fragrance to this far-away valley.
But strange to say this wonderful
country supplied with SO many of
Natures wonderful gifts is an almost
isolated region. Only few families
have had the courage to leave the busy
outside world and make their homes
here. They are doing well and, although
on account of eally frosts only hardy
fruits and vegetables will grow, the
people have turned their attention to
raising cattle, and having free range in
summer time and numberless tons of
hay laid away for winter use in few
years these people will be independent
in means.
But to get wealth in this country re-
quires hard labor, many privations and
patience.
Some of the settlers have the charac-
teristics of New Englanders-substantial
in mind and body ready to bring success
out of all defeat and triumph at last in a
hard won victory.
81 predict glorious future for this
country" says one brave woman who
came with her husband to retrieve lost
fortunes. "And for one," she added.
"am willing to undergo all present pri.
vations for that which is sure to follow.
I try to submit to present inconvenience
to obtain greater distant good"
Would that there were others with
the same resolute spirit, would leave
the crowded cities for these free noun
tain homes. But 80 few now are willing
to be among the first settlers of coun.
try. Fourteen families lately came from
Kansas with the intention of making
homes in Long Valley, but only reached
the opposite shores of the Payette River,
just far enough to look over into their
promised Canaan, and hearing from
some one that gold does not grow here
on bushes and that they would have to
work for this hidden treasure, they
turned their horses toward the rising
of the sun and went back to be blown
up by cyclones or eaten up by grass